Grilling in House on need for Syria attack points to tougher debate ahead

Grilling in House on need for Syria attack points to tougher debate ahead
Thursday, September 5, 2013    Last updated: Thursday September 5, 2013, 12:20 AM
BY  JAMES ROSEN AND WILLIAM DOUGLAS
MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS
The Record

WASHINGTON — Even as Congress took a step Wednesday toward authorizing the use of force in Syria, a growing number of lawmakers spoke out strongly against a U.S. military strike and warned that it would draw the United States into an escalating conflict that could spread throughout the Middle East.

ASSOCIATED PRESS
An anti-war demonstrator leaves a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing in Washington on Wednesday during testimony by Secretary of State John Kerry.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved a resolution for a likely missile attack against Syrian President Bashar Assad in retaliation for his alleged use of chemical weapons two weeks ago, but it prohibited any involvement of U.S. troops.

But the Senate committee’s 10-7 vote indicated deep divisions within Congress that President Obama still must overcome in his quest to demonstrate to Syria, Iran and other nations that the use of chemical or nuclear arms is unacceptable. The measure is expected to reach the Senate floor next week, although the timing for a vote is uncertain.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/international/Grilling_in_House_on_need_for_Syria_strike_points_to_tougher_debate_ahead.html#sthash.liMOyH9d.dpuf